1 post in this topic

The season has begun in Europe and Asia, the countdown begins in the Americas.

Diablo Season Six has come to Europe and will shortly be gracing the Americas region. A quick reminder to the America region players, the Season goes live at 5pm PDT, or just over eight hours from the time of this news post.

Reports from Europe (via Reddit) indicate that the European servers are experiencing a fairly large influx, and while it isn't Error 37 level, that you might have to wait in queue before playing.

Whether you're in the Americas Region or stuck in a European queue, I have something interesting that might be worth reading through. Many of the Diablo community love the season, but find the 1-70 race a bit on the dry side. If that applies to you, I have a quick link to a Diablo Reddit post that will give some tips and tricks to get you 1-70 in record time. The post is by Herpderpenburg, and covers one of the most efficient leveling strategies that I am aware of. Even if you're not looking to min/max your entire journey, there are plenty of great tips to pick up for general play.

The thread can be found here, and really deserves a quick glance. This guide has the potential to have a player hitting 70 in a very short period of time if they want, or even just helps to smooth out some of the slog that occurs in the 60-70 range.

Thanks to Herpderpenburg for putting it together, and I hope that our readers get some value out of it. I know that I have from his efforts in prior seasons, and this updated guide is no exception!

Recently Browsing
0 members

Similar Content

Game Designer Don Vu posted a hotfix recently applied to 2.6.1 PTR that increases Impale's damage bonus on Karlei's Point and Impale's weapon damage bonus on the Shadow's Mantle 6-piece.
Many sets received buffs in the latest Patch 2.6.1 PTR build. Full patch notes can be found here.
Blizzard (Source)
Hey everyone,

We just applied a hotfix to the PTR servers that increased the Impale damage bonus on Karlei's Point to 375-500% and increased the Impale weapon damage bonus on the Shadow's Mantle 6-piece to 50,000%. You will have to remake game if you're currently in one to have these changes applied.

Because we hotfixed these changes, the values on the tooltips will not be updated on your PTR client, but you should be receiving the correct amount of increased damage. Please remember that these numbers, like all numbers on the PTR, are not final and may change before we release this patch to the live servers.

In this week's 2.6.1 PTR build, many class sets were buffed and the amount of mats from the Challenge Rift Cache was increased.
The most recent changes are in red and strikethrough text indicates old values (from the August 30 build). Read more about balance goals in Patch 2.6.1 here.
Blizzard (Source)
PTR PATCH 2.6.1 - v2.6.1.47251
To provide feedback on patch 2.6.1, please visit the PTR Feedback forum.
To report any issues you experience while playing, please visit the PTR Bug Report forum.
Please note that support for Vista / Windows XP will be ending at some point during the PTR. For more info, please see our forum post.
In order to test Necromancer changes, you will need to have purchased the Necromancer in the live game. The ability to purchase the class on the PTR has been disabled.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Classes
Items
Challenge Rifts
Monsters
CLASSES
Barbarian Skills
Jarring Slam
Added a maximum threshold on the number of health globes that can spawn in a given time.
Necromancer Passives
Life from Death
Added a maximum threshold on the number of health globes that can spawn in a given time.
Witch Doctor Passives
Creeping Death
Increased the duration of Haunt, Locust Swarm, and the damage amplification of Piranhas when this passive is active from 3600 to 14400 16800 seconds
Wizard Skills
Arcane Orb
Frozen Orb
Increased projectile travel distance from 30 to 45 40
Bug Fixes
Fixed an issue where Bone Armor: Dislocation did not apply the movement and attack speed reduction provided by Rigor Mortis
Fixed an issue where Monk players could reset the Blood is Power cooldown for Necromancers allowing them to gain more cool down reduction than intended
Fixed an issue where Creeping Death was not correctly affecting the duration of the Piranha’s damage debuff
ITEMS
Legendary Items
Crusader
Blade of Prophecy
Two Condemned enemies also trigger Condemn's explosion and the damage of Condemn is increased by 350-450% 600-800%.
Frydehr’s Wrath
Condemn has no cooldown and has its damage increased by 450-600% 600-800%, but instead costs 40 Wrath.
Gyrfalcon’s Foote
Removes the resource cost of Blessed Shield and increases Blessed Shield damage by 400-500% 275-350%.
Jekangbord
Blessed Shield ricochets to 6 additional enemies and has its damage increased by 300-400% 225-300%.
Demon Hunter
Dead Man’s Legacy
Legendary power now also increases Multishot damage, now reads Multishot hits enemies below 50-60% health twice and its damage is increased by 125-150% 150-200%.
Yang’s Recurve
Multishot attacks 50% faster and its damage is increased by 125-150% 150-200%.
Wizard
Deathwish
While channeling Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, or Ray of Frost, all damage is increased by 30–35% 250-325%.
Etched Sigil
Your Arcane Torrent, Disintegrate, and Ray of Frost also cast one of your other damaging Arcane Power Spenders which deal 125-150% increased damage every second.
Halo of Karini
You take 45–60% 60-80% less damage for 4 5 seconds after your Storm Armor electrocutes an enemy more than 30 15 yards away
Nilfur's Boast
Increase the damage of Meteor by 200% 600%. When your Meteor hits 3 or fewer enemies, the damage is increased by 275–350% 675-900%
The Grand Vizier
Reduces the Arcane Power cost of Meteor by 50% and increases its damage by 30% 375-500%
Set Items
Barbarian
Immortal King’s Call
(6) Set
While both Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients is active, you deal 750% 1500% increased damage.
Might of the Earth
(6) Set
Increase the damage of Earthquake, Avalanche, Leap, Ground Stomp, Ancient Spear and Seismic Slam by 3000% 5600%.
The Legacy of Raekor
(4) Set
Furious Charge gains the effect of every rune and deals 500% 1000% increased damage.
(6) Set
Every use of Furious Charge increases the damage of your next Fury-spending attack by 1500% 2800%. This effect stacks. Every use of a Fury-spending attack consumes up to 5 stacks.
Wrath of the Wastes
(6) Set
Whirlwind gains the effect of the Dust Devils rune and all Whirlwind damage is increased by 1700% 3400%.
Crusader
Armor of Akkhan
(6) Set
While Akarat's Champion is active, you deal 900% 1000% increased damage and take 50% less damage.
Roland's Legacy
(4) Set
Increase the damage of Shield Bash and Sweep Attack by 2500% 3300%.
Thorns of the Invoker
(2) Set
Your Thorns damage now hits all enemies in a 15 yard radius around you. Each time you hit an enemy with Punish, Slash, or block an attack your Thorns is increased by 70% 140% for 2 seconds.
(6) Set
The attack speed of Punish and Slash are increased by 50% and deal 2700% 5400% of your Thorns damage to the first enemy hit.
Demon Hunter
Embodiment of the Marauder
(4) Set
Sentries deal 100% 400% increased damage and cast Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, and Cluster Arrow when you do
(6) Set
Your primary skills, Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, Cluster Arrow, Companions, and Vengeance deal 2400% 2500% increased damage for every active Sentry
Unhallowed Essence
(6) Set
Your generators, Multishot, and Vengeance deal 70% 100% increased damage for every point of Discipline you have.
Monk
Inna’s Mantra
(6) Set
Gain the five runed Mystic Allies at all times and your damage is increased by 125% 150% for each Mystic Ally you have out.
Raiment of a Thousand Storms
(6) Set
Your Spirit Generators increase the weapon damage of Dashing Strike to 12500% 13000% for 6 seconds and Dashing Strike increases the damage of your Spirit Generators by 1250% 1300% for 6 seconds.
Uliana’s Stratagem
(6) Set
Increase the damage of your Exploding Palm by 1800% 2100% and your Seven-Sided Strike detonates your Exploding Palm
Necromancer
Bones of Rathma
(6) Set
Each active Skeletal Mage increases the damage of your minions and Army of the Dead by 625% 1000%.
Grace of Inarius
(6) Set
Bone Armor also activates a swirling tornado of bone, damaging nearby enemies for 750% 1000% weapon damage and increasing the damage they take from the Necromancer by 2750% 3750%.
Pestilence Master’s Shroud
(6) Set
Each corpse you consume grants you an Empowered Bone Spear charge that increases the damage of your next Bone Spear by 3000% 4000%. In addition, Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion damage is increased by 1500% 2000%.
Witch Doctor
Helltooth Harness
(6) Set
After casting Wall of Death, gain 1700% 5100% increased damage for 15 seconds to your primary skills, Acid Cloud, Firebats, Zombie Charger, Zombie Dogs, Gargantuan, Grasp of the Dead, Piranhas, and Wall of Death.
Raiment of the Jade Harvester
(2) Set
When Haunt lands on an enemy already affected by Haunt, it instantly deals 480 560 seconds worth of Haunt damage.
(6) Set
Soul Harvest reduces damage taken by 50% for 12 seconds and consumes your damage over time effects on enemies, instantly dealing 1200 1400 seconds worth of remaining damage.
Spirit of Arachyr
(6) Set
The damage of your creature skills is increased by 2400% 4500%. Creature skills are Corpse Spiders, Plague of Toads, Firebats, Locust Swarm, Hex, and Piranhas.
Zunimassa's Haunt
(6) Set
Enemies hit by your Mana spenders take 2500% 5500% increased damage from your pets for 8 seconds.
Wizard
Delsere’s Magnum Opus
(6) Set
Enemies affected by your Slow Time and for 5 seconds after exiting take 3500% 4100% increased damage from your Arcane Orb, Energy Twister, Explosive Blast, Magic Missile, Shock Pulse, Spectral Blade, and Wave of Force abilities.
Firebird’s Finery
(6) Set
Your damage is increased by 150% 250% and damage taken reduced by 3% for each enemy that is Ignited. This effect can stack up to 20 times. You always receive the maximum bonus whenever a nearby Elite monster is Ignited.
Bug Fixes
(PTR Only) Fixed an issue where the damage over time effect left on the ground by Meteor was not being increased by the legacy version of Nilfur’s Boast.
CHALLENGE RIFTS
Increased the amount of materials that the Challenge Rift Cache drops
The Challenge Rift Cache now always drops 10 Death’s Breath
MONSTERS
Bug Fixes
Fixed a champion spawn rate issue for certain monsters required for the achievement ‘We Are the Champions’. The following monsters were adjusted and should spawn with the same frequency as other champion packs:
Fallen Conjurer
Fallen Peon
Fallen Cur
Fallen Grunt
Fallen Overlord
Fallen Slavelord
Previous 2.6.1 Patch Notes
Patch 2.6.1 PTR Patch Notes: August 30
Patch 2.6.1 PTR Patch Notes: August 22
Patch 2.6.1 PTR Patch Notes: August 15

In the latest installment of developer chronicles, Don Vu (Game Designer on Diablo III) talks about main goals of Patch 2.6.1 and changes that the team plans to incorporate on PTR.
Blizzard released a new Patch 2.6.1 PTR build today (Patch Notes). Patch 2.6.1 marks the arrival of Season 12 and you can learn more about rewards or Haedrig's Gift sets here.
Blizzard (Source)
Hey everyone—Don Vu here, Game Designer on the Diablo III team. We’ve really appreciated your honest, detailed, and consistent feedback through the Patch 2.6.1 PTR. Many of you have been asking great questions, and one of the biggest and most frequent was, “What are the goals of this PTR/patch?” We felt this question deserved a detailed response, so let’s get into it!
Main Goals
There were two main goals for this patch. First, we wanted each class to have multiple builds with different styles that can play in similar difficulties. We agree it’s important that there is a lot of variety in the end-game experience and, because we have so many difficulties, we want as many players as possible to reach similar goals regardless of their preferred class set or play style. While we might not get every build, we’re making sure there is a lot of variation among competitive options.
Secondly, we want to smooth out the overall endgame experience. This means making sure each build plays well in high density situations and group play. While this has always been an ongoing effort for our team, some of the changes we’ve made in this patch specifically targeted this goal.
Steps to the Goal
With those goals in mind, what have we done so far? Some changes should be more immediately apparent than others. A lot of older fan favorites, like Whirlwind, Frozen Orb, or Exploding Palm were ideal candidates for changes. These were long-requested builds that felt like obvious targets for buffs.

While we may not have raised every build in the game to the top bar, we think that’s okay; some builds can just be fun and own their place in lower difficulties as stepping stones or for farming. Those types of builds are important too, and not all builds can fulfill every role.
We’ve also been keeping our ear close to the ground, visiting different class forums, watching videos and streams, analyzing our own internal data, and running playtests to identify places where further tweaks make sense. This is an ongoing process. Between our efforts and the feedback received from players or through our community team, there’s always something new for us to look at, discuss, and try out if we feel it’s a healthy direction for the game.
Lastly, we iterate and repeat. Game development requires trial and error, experimentation, and reworks. Sometimes, these experiments don’t make it to the PTR because we’ve identified a problematic issue that makes a change non-viable.
Incorporating Player Feedback
There have been incredible contributions from players during this PTR, and we wanted to take a moment not only to thank you for them, but to call out just a fewways we’re reflecting the community’s feedback.
Barbarians, we’ve been eying your class sets and the iconic Whirlwind build for a while. From previous changes to game performance to the defensive tweaks on the 4-piece Waste’s bonus and Band of Might, we heard your call for survivability loud and clear. We’ll be spinning to win beside you in the name of Bul-Kathos!

Wizards, Halo of Karini is an effective piece of equipment, though awkward to use. We’ve added some leniency to its buff so there’s a bigger window and less downtime between applications. We’re also buffing up other gameplay styles available to the Wizard so that Archon doesn’t have to feel like the end-all, be-all class skill. Thank you for your dedication, honored Vizjerei!
Necromancers, Dayntee’s Binding has been a hit, but its curse viability felt too narrow. Opening this item’s affix to all curses should allow a lot more gameplay variety, especially in multi-Necromancer groups. It’s been great to see so many of you enjoying our newest class; thank you for keeping the Balance in check!
Witch Doctors, Jade Harvester is a DoT-filled fantasy we all dream to live. Its fragility has been a long-standing concern, and we’re excited to see more masters of poison with the added defense bonuses to the Jade set. Thanks for making your voodoo desires heard!

Demon Hunters, Monks, and Crusaders have plenty of changes coming too! We expect to see a lot more Multishot, Exploding Palm, and Blessed Shield, for example, and we’re just as excited to return to these powerful gameplay fantasies as you are!
Lastly, across most patch changes we’ve taken the broad approach of bringing other sets up to the latest height of progress rather than nerfing overperforming things back down. Many iconic playstyles were behind a few elite builds, and we want those memorable styles to continue feeling legendary. Boosting them up made the most sense, and we appreciate all our nephalem heroes for echoing that sentiment.
What’s Next for the 2.6.1 PTR?
We’re locking down on changes now to smooth out bugs and performance issues, as well as other fine-tuning steps before patch launch. That process can take a while, so there’s a point at which we must stop making new changes.
We’ve now reached that point on the PTR, so don’t expect too many more sweeping changes for Patch 2.6.1 (barring anything game breaking we need to address post-patch or via a hotfix). We most need your help in stress testing, bug-crunching, and experimenting as much as possible to catch any crazy issues before we finalize our build.
Once again, we can’t thank you enough for your patience and participation during the Patch 2.6.1 PTR. We’ve always been reading and incorporating your feedback, and we hope that’s evident now more than ever.

Catch a glimpse of what to expect in Season 12. Read on for the details on Season rewards & Haedrig's Gift sets.
Season 12 will probably go live with Patch 2.6.1 that's currently tested on PTR. You can find the latest Patch 2.6.1 patch notes here.
Season 12 Splash Screen

A new 2.6.1 PTR build was deployed to test servers yesterday, with changes to Witch Doctor's Creeping Death passive and Wizard's Frozen Orb projectile range and many tweaks for Legendary items.
Patch notes below contain only the latest changes (v2.6.1.47041). For full patch notes, please visit the previous 2.6.1 build located here. Blizzard also mentioned that Windows XP / Vista support will be ending at some point during PTR.
Blizzard (Source)
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Classes
Items
Adventure Mode
CLASSES
Witch Doctor Passives
Creeping Death
Increased the duration of Haunt, Locust Swarm, and the damage amplification of Piranhas when this passive is active from 3600 to 14400 seconds
Note: There is currently a bug preventing this passive from affecting Piranhas; this will be fixed in an upcoming PTR patch
Wizard Skills
Arcane Orb
Frozen Orb
Increased projectile travel distance from 30 to 45
ITEMS
Legendary Items
Barbarian
Band of Might
After casting Furious Charge, Ground Stomp, or Leap, take 50–60% 60-80% reduced damage for 8 seconds
Bracers of the First Men
Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 150–200% 300-400% 400-500% increased damage
Gavel of Judgement
Hammer of the Ancients returns 20–25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies. The damage of Hammer of the Ancients is increased by 400-500% 600-800% and it returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or fewer enemies
Note: Existing versions of this item will also be changed to include the damage roll in the orange text, but will always roll a damage roll equal to the previous maximum possible.
Note: The Legendary power on this item is currently not functioning; this will be fixed in an upcoming patch
Crusader
Fate of the Fell
Heaven's Fury gains two additional rays and has its damage increased by 150-200% 375-500%
Golden Flense
Sweep Attack restores 6 Wrath for each enemy hit and has its damage increased by 225-300%
Witch Doctor
The Short Man’s Finger
Note: There is currently a bug which causes the new and old versions of the ring to not work when both are equipped; this will be fixed in an upcoming PTR patch
Wizard
Halo of Karini
You take 45–60% 60-80% less damage for 3 4 seconds after your Storm Armor electrocutes an enemy more than 30 15 yards away
Set Items
Crusader
Thorns of the Invoker
(2) Set
Note: There is currently an issue which causes the actual Thorns increase to be 35% instead of 70%; this will be fixed in an upcoming PTR patch
Demon Hunter
Embodiment of the Marauder
(4) Set
Sentries deal 400% 100% increased damage and cast Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, and Cluster Arrow when you do
(6) Set
Your primary skills, Elemental Arrow, Chakram, Impale, Multishot, Cluster Arrow, Companions, and Vengeance deal 1200% 2100% 2400% increased damage for every active Sentry
Monk
Shenlong's Spirit
The damage of your Spirit Generators is increased by 1.5% 2% for each point of Spirit you have
When reaching maximum Spirit, all damage is increased by 150% 200%, but you no longer passively regenerate Spirit and 65 Spirit is drained every second until you run out of Spirit
Necromancer
Pestilence Master’s Shroud
(4) Set
Each enemy you hit with Bone Spear, Corpse Lance or Corpse Explosion reduces your damage taken by 2%, up to a maximum of 50%. Lasts 15 seconds.
Witch Doctor
Helltooth Harness
(6) Set
Note: This set bonus is being temporarily disabled to fix an issue with the set. It will be re-enabled in a later PTR patch.
Raiment of the Jade Harvester
(6) Set
Soul Harvest reduces damage taken by 50% for 12 seconds and consumes your damage over time effects on enemies, instantly dealing 300 1200 seconds worth of remaining damage.
Wizard
Vyr’s Amazing Arcana
(6) Set
You also gain Archon stacks when you hit with an Archon ability. Archon stacks now also reduce damage taken by 0.15% and have their damage bonus increased to 18% 25%
Chantodo's Resolve
(2) Set
Every second while in Archon form you expel a Wave of Destruction, dealing 350% 600% 1000% weapon damage to enemies within 30 yards
ADVENTURE MODE
Rifts
Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by Blazing Constructs
Increased the amount of experience and Rift progress granted by Smoldering Constructs
Bug Fixes
(PTR Only) Fixed an issue with Battle Rage - Bloodshed where the damage from critical hits was not being scaled by the proc coefficient of the power doing damage
Fixed an issue where the advanced tooltip for Bone Armor - Dislocation did not correctly state the rune did Poison damage
Fixed an issue where Furious Charge would inherit the elemental damage type on your weapon when Vile Ward was equipped, as opposed to the damage type of the rune you chose